Preseason Top 10 Point Guards

1. Jarrius Jackson- Texas Tech (20.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.9 APG)
My POY sleeper will need to step up his game in a big way for the Red Raiders to make the NCAA tournament. There’s no doubt Jackson has matured into one of the fiercest scorers in the country. Don’t be surprised if his already gaudy scoring average moves up 5-6 points this year.

2. Ronald Steele- Alabama (14.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.3 APG)
Following Chuck Davis’ injury, Steele stepped in as the score-first star for Alabama. While he still loves to pass, he’s the number one scoring threat in the SEC and will surely be looking for revenge following his missed chances vs. UCLA in last years tournament.

3. Dominic James- Marquette (15.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.4 APG)
Even if James was highly touted coming out of high school, nobody expected him to emerge as the key to Marquette’s success in 2005-06. Novak was the shooter, but James always made sure he got the ball. Maybe the best penetrator in all of college hoops.

4. Acie Law- Texas A&M (16.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.0 APG)
The Aggies program is on the rise in a big way. While the recruiting classes continue to improve for the future, Law is dominating the present. He is the unspoken leader of a Texas A&M team with nationally televised games and more attention than ever before.

5. Sean Singletary- Virginia (17.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.2 APG)
I still see Singletary and the Cavaliers in my dreams after they torched BC last season. Now Sean could replace Redick as the ACC’s most feared three-point threat.

6. Jamar Butler- Ohio State (10.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.6 APG)
Butler really developed into a top-flight point guard for Thad Matta in 05-06. Some turnover and shooting habits need perfecting, but Butler is a fine player to lead a talented OSU team.

7. Mustafa Shakur- Arizona (11.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.7 APG)
Shakur still has yet to show the nation the hype was for real. Olsen needs him to mold into not only the team leader at the PG position, but a non-stop scoring threat. The assist totals for Shakur last season are encouraging.

8. Kammron Taylor- Wisconsin (14.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.4 APG)
The shot selection could improve. Yet, Taylor still managed to drop 14 a game for the Badgers. With players like Tucker and Butch going to the next level this season, don’t let his low assist number fool you. It will surely improve for this upcoming season.

9. Taurean Green- Florida (13.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.7 APG)
With all of the weapons in Florida’s artillery, Green could realistically lead the nation in APG in 05-06. He was basically awful from the field against UCLA, and the shooting definitely needs improvement.

10. Greg Paulus- Duke (6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.2 APG)
You know Paulus will be well-prepared to excel at the PG role, because frosh Gerald Henderson might fight for valuable playing time. At times, some of Paulus’ passes looked puzzling and cost Duke valuable possessions, but at other points he showed his superior court vision and potential for stardom.

Top Freshman: Tywon Lawson, North Carolina